Britain's Blair visiting S.F. for weekend

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 7/28/6 | Carla Marinucci, John Wildermuth

[SmithL]

Prime minister will hold trade talks, discuss environment and foreign policy -

British Prime Minister Tony Blair arrives in San Francisco today to kick off a packed five-day California trip with political implications both here and abroad -- and an agenda including trade discussions, an environmental roundtable with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and business leaders, and a major speech on foreign policy.

The surprise trip by Blair, the first ever by a sitting prime minister to California, has been shielded by unusual secrecy and was announced just this week -- setting off a flurry of competition among celebrities for invitations to A-list social events like a reception at the Getty Villa in Malibu next week hosted by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Blair is expected to dine with former Secretary of State George Shultz and his wife, state protocol chief Charlotte Shultz, at their Russian Hill home Saturday. He'll visit Delancey Street and South San Francisco-based Genentech, the biotech giant, before heading to Long Beach on Monday.

There, he'll meet with Schwarzenegger and business leaders for a roundtable on global climate change issues before delivering a foreign policy speech Tuesday.

The trip comes with some distinct political benefits for both Blair, an embattled head of state whose critics have attacked him as President Bush's poodle, and Schwarzenegger, a Republican governor of the nation's most populous state who aims to distance himself from President Bush as he seeks re-election at home.

"It couldn't come at a better time for both of them,'

[SF Republican]

One could hope he will be greeted well here but I would be surprised. Tony, have a great time and thanks for everything.

[MikeA]

"Americans really like him ... he's a terrific communicator, telegenic, quick and funny,'' O'Connor said. "Americans loved him when he was hanging out with Clinton, and the British liked him, too, until he got involved with Bush'' on the war in Iraq."

Someone needs to tell this "professor" that her analysis might have a little more credibility if it had a little less personal projection in it. So we all loved Blair because he "hung out" with Bill Clinton?? But everyone hates him now that he got tangled up with Bush!!! PLUHHHSE!! I've got news for you, but most of us aren't so enamored of Bill Clinton that we fall in love with whomever his buddies are. These liberals and their silly school girl crush over a shrivelled prune like Clinton. Get a grip lady. Go change your panties.

[MikeA]

"And as California swelters, he's at a high profile affair on global warming, one of the issues Californians most care about.''

Here goes Professor Asshat again. I'm a Californian, even live in L.A. I don't know ANYONE talking about this issue as being one we "most care about." I love these dumbasses like this witch who thinks what's important to them is important to everyone and that's the lense through which they do political analysis. Yeah, we all care so much about Global warming!!! That's ALL we ever talk about!!! It's so much more important to me than the high price of gas in this state coming precisely from the kinds of enviro. regs this "professor" gets off on and it's so much important to me than the budget, high taxes and over-regulation and keeping the state business friendly. No, let's pretend California alone can solve global warming and drive up the cost of gas, cars and doing business in Californa. And by the way dope, there have ALWAYS been heat waves and periods of global warming throughout time. And every climatologist I'm hearing is saying you cannot connect any one weather event to global warming. Gawd I can't stand the thought that my tax dollars are going to pay for an idiot "professor" like that.

[FairOpinion]

Some interesting observations in the article:

"The prime minister's high profile stay has a benefit for the governor, allowing him to be on the leadership stage with a major world figure, while underscoring the issue of the environment, a key concern of state voters.

"Arnold is on a roll ... so it adds to Arnold's luster here. It shows that he has the image of an international politician,'' O'Connor said. "And as California swelters, he's at a high profile affair on global warming, one of the issues Californians most care about.''

[FairOpinion]

To watch Blair's speech, see below:

Los Angeles World Affairs Council

http://www.lawac.org/

A major policy address to be given on the occasion of the first visit of a sitting Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to Los Angeles

Luncheon

Tuesday, August 1, 12 noon

Westin Bonaventure Hotel


SOLD OUT

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BUT:


Mr. Blair's address will be broadcast on cable channel LA36

at the following times:



Thursday, August 3, 11 a.m. 2 p.m. 7 p.m.

Saturday, August 5, 8 a.m.

Sunday, August 6, 8 a.m.

Monday, August 7, 8 p.m.



The address will also be available to watch on our online

video-on-demand channel

(go to LAWAC at link above for link to their video)